The horizon is not a line to be watched, it’s a boundary to be broken.
In late 2025, during the UN’s International Year of Quantum, Hack The Horizon will assemble Africa’s elite technical talent — developers, physicists, engineers, data scientists, designers, and innovators — to tackle some of the continent’s most pressing challenges.
This is not an academic exercise. This is a deployment. Across a multi-week programme combining onboarding, training, and building, participants will use quantum computing and advanced problem-solving techniques to build functional prototypes that deliver measurable, real-world impact.
Why This Matters
While others are still talking about quantum’s potential, Hack The Horizon is where the future gets built. The event is designed to accelerate the adoption of quantum solutions in sectors like finance, infrastructure, language & culture, and cross-sector innovation, turning theory into tangible advantage.
What Makes It Different
- De-Risked R&D – Companies provide real-world problems; we provide top-tier talent and the platform to solve them.
- First-Mover Advantage – Be the first in your industry to apply quantum to your sector.
- Priority Talent Access – Meet and recruit the best technical minds before they hit the open market.
Powered by Partnership
Organized by
AQC (more information at
https://africaquantum.org/) as the capable local partner and
Aqora as the global hacking platform (think Kaggle, but for quantum), this event combines world-class competition infrastructure with Africa’s rising innovation powerhouses.
Who Should Join
- Participants – Innovators ready to push the limits of quantum technology.
- Industry Partners – Organizations seeking strategic, low-cost innovation with a direct path to prototypes.
- Mentors & Experts – Leaders eager to guide and shape next-gen quantum solutions.
Challenge Tracks & Themes
The 2025 edition of Hack The Horizon is structured around several core challenge tracks:
- Quantum Language Processing (English, French & Twi)
Quantum solutions for multilingual language processing across English, French, and Twi — in partnership with Ghana NLP.
- Quantum Finance for Inclusion
Quantum applications in financial services and fintech, reimagining access, trust, and optimization in Africa’s financial systems — in partnership with Statismatic and other financial innovators.
- Data-Driven Quantum Error Mitigation (QEM)
Next-generation QEM strategies that learn complex noise patterns and improve the reliability of quantum hardware and simulation workflows.
- Open Innovation Track
Propose your own quantum solution to a problem relevant to Africa’s quantum ecosystem.
- Define your own problem and quantum approach
- Submit a proposal by December 15, 2025
- Selected proposals receive mentorship support
- Eligible for prizes and recognition
Examples of domains that fit well into the Open Innovation Track include:
Agriculture & Climate, Healthcare, Infrastructure Optimization, and Education, Language & Culture.
Format: Fully virtual, Pan-African, with three phases
Platform: Aqora (challenge hosting, collaboration, and submissions)
Kick-Off: Live global virtual event on December 1, 2025 at 16:00–18:00 GMT (recorded for later viewing)
The Global Kick-Off will:
- Introduce all challenge tracks and partners
- Provide Aqora platform training (navigation, submissions, collaboration)
- Host an open FAQ covering tracks, platform usage, and requirements
Phase I: Onboarding & Readiness (Nov 16 – Dec 5, 2025)
Goal: Get everyone technically, organizationally, and conceptually ready for the build phase.
Includes:
- Registration: Nov 16–30, 2025
- Global Kick-Off Event: Dec 1, 2025 – 16:00 GMT
- Welcome address (AQC): Why Hack The Horizon?
- Track overviews (Language Processing, Finance, Quantum Error Mitigation, Open Innovation)
- Aqora platform tutorial and Q&A
- QWorld Bootcamp (Quantum Foundations): Dec 2–5, 2025
- Time: 19:00–21:00 GMT+3 (2 hours per day)
- Daily workshops on quantum computing fundamentals
- Hands-on coding and hackathon best practices
Phase II: Building & Mentorship (Dec 5, 2025 – Jan 5, 2026)
Goal: Build, iterate, and refine high-impact prototypes.
During this period:
- Teams work virtually on their selected tracks using the Aqora Stack, simulators, and toolkits.
- Each team is matched with mentors who:
- Guide 2–3 teams
- Review progress and provide technical and strategic feedback
- Help refine solution design and final presentations
- Intermittent events highlight challenge progress and milestones.
Phase III: Submission & Judging (Jan 5 – Feb 2026)
Goal: Evaluate, celebrate, and amplify the best solutions.
Key activities:
- Finalize and submit:
- Code repositories
- Project documentation
- Pitch decks / demo videos
- Team pitches (live or recorded, ~10–15 minutes per team) with Q&A.
- Independent judging panel of industry experts, sponsors, and academic practitioners evaluates submissions.
- Winners are announced at the International Year of Quantum (IYQ) 2025 Closing Ceremony in Ghana, spotlighting Africa’s leading quantum innovators.
Evaluation Criteria
A panel of judges composed of industry experts from the sponsors and independent practitioners in academic institutions will review submissions. Detailed submission formats and per-track specifics will be shared via the Aqora platform and Discord.
At a high level, solutions will be evaluated on:
- Technical depth & correctness
- Innovation & use of quantum / quantum-inspired methods
- Relevance to African context & impact potential
- Clarity of communication & presentation
- Team execution & feasibility of next steps
Important Timelines (2025–2026)
- Nov 16–30, 2025 – Registration
- Dec 1, 2025 – Global Kick-Off Event (virtual, recorded)
- Dec 2–5, 2025 – QWorld Bootcamp (19:00–21:00 GMT+3 daily)
- Dec 5, 2025 – Jan 5, 2026 – Building & mentorship phase
- Jan 5 – Feb 2026 – Final submissions, judging, and winner selection
- IYQ 2025 Closing Ceremony (Ghana) – Winners announced
Stay connected and up to date:
Pre-Event Checklist
- Registered for Hack The Horizon
- Joined the AQC Discord server
- Subscribed to
#announcements-hackthehorizon
- Prepared questions for the Kick-Off FAQ session
FAQ for Participants
Can we join as an existing quantum group or lab?
Absolutely. Teams from quantum clubs, university labs, or startups are welcome — especially if you already have domain knowledge related to a track.
Do we need prior quantum experience?
No. The QWorld Bootcamp and onboarding materials ensure everyone from beginner to advanced is equipped to participate confidently.
